PALS hosts first Wai'anae District Robotics Tournament on November 12

The Wai’anae Program for Afterschool Literacy Support or PALS, a unit under the office of Student Equity Excellence and Diversity (SEED) at UH Mānoa, is hosting the first Wai’anae District First LegoLeague (FLL) Robotics tournament on Saturday, November 12. The tournament will be held at the Wai’anae High cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The robotics portion of program starts at 11 a.m.

Six Wai’anae robotics teams will be competing for a spot in the Hawai’i State Championship. FLL is open to students between the ages of 9-14, and is designed to get students excited about science and technology. The six teams competing at the Wai’anae District’s first ever tournament will represent Kamaile Academy, Leihoku Elementary, Nanaikapono Elementary, Wai’anae Elementary and Wai’anae Intermediate. The students are learning and practicing skills in preparation for their own futures in research, technology and teamwork.

PALS is an afterschool program that engages students in project-based learning that is grounded in issues relevant to their community. It operates in elementary schools along the Wai’anae Coast. This is the first year PALS has teamed with First LegoLeague. The program’s project objectives also include providing training on place-based curriculum, improving teaching skills for participating tutors, and fostering strong school and community partnerships.